Ashish Ranjan
New Zealand’s aim of doing better in the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 will be aided by Trent Boult’s commitment to the team despite his refusal to secure a key playing contract. Boult and New Zealand Cricket have reached an agreement in which the fast bowler will continue to play on a part-time basis, whereas twenty of his international peers will receive full-time contracts. During a central contract release in August of 2022, the 33-year-old pacer and the New Zealand cricket board reached an agreement that allowed him to continue playing in international tournaments and spend more time with his family.
Following Boult’s release, NZC have given their approval for the fast bowler to play for the national team on a casual basis, and it appears he will be back in time for the World Cup. In the meantime, fellow fast bowler Adam Milne is poised to accept his first central contract in five years after a stellar year in international cricket. The fast bowler has played 11 T20Is and five ODIs over the past 12 months, accumulating 24 wickets, including a five-wicket haul against Sri Lanka in Dunedin in April.
Adam Milne was always a bowler of the highest caliber: Stead
With the focus shifting to the Cricket World Cup 2023 and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, coach Gary Stead considers Milne’s selection to be a just recompense for his efforts. “In order to be in a position to receive this contract offer, Adam has worked extraordinarily hard and exhibited tenacity over the past few years. Steady told the ICC, “He has always been a world-class bowler, and we were impressed by his consistent contributions during the recent home summer and tour of Pakistan.”
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However, Colin de Grandhomme and Martin Guptill have also been released from central contracts, per their earlier requests. Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel, who was on the contractual list the previous season, has not received an offer for a primary contract.
Players offered NZC central contracts for 2023-24: Finn Allen, Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Blair Tickner, Neil Wagner, Kane Williamson, Will Young.
